“But what good will that do? I’m Saturn. You know love isn’t our thing.”
Vee rolls her eyes. “There have been Saturns who’ve fallen in love.”
“Name one besides my dad, who tried but ultimately failed.” Aside from my dad, other Saturns never try to do the true love thing, clearly for a reason. Love requires dedication but so does Saturn, and it’s impossible to marry the two. However, Dad thought he could do it. His hubris had to attempt the impossible and look where that brought us. Other Saturns accepted their fate, choosing their partnership to the planet above everything else. It’s the entire reason the Saturn line jumps between multiple bloodlines. No love and fewer babies.
“First, your dad didn’t fail. You know that,” Vee says, and even though she’s wrong, I don’t correct her. “That doesn’t matter. Behind the god stuff, you’re a person. And she’s a person. If you’re really interested in her, I can take over her case, and you can work something out. Get to know her even.”
I groan. Getting to know Moyo is the whole reason for my dilemma. Every moment spent in her presence makes me wish I was a regularCupid’s Bowuser and not an employee on the backend.
“Niyi.” Vee grabs my hand. “Most of the job is following our hearts. That’s how we tap into our power and unlock The Sight. Follow yours and you’ll make the right decisions. Whether that’s pursuing this crush or not. Follow your heart. Trust me.”
I hear the hidden message behind her spoken words: Follow your heart, listen to your crush. Typical Venus.
I wish I could, but with my Saturnian limitations, the biggest one in being my father’s son, I’m not a regular guy who can follow through with a crush. It would ultimately lead to more pain for everyone involved.
My one wish of being completely Niyi fades. This, being Saturn, is my reality, and I need to start pulling my weight.
“Are you listening to me?” Vee says.
I nod.
“What did I just say?”
“‘Are you listening to me?’ Keep up, Vee,” I joke, and she laughs.
“I said, if you need me to take over as her coach while you figure out what you want to do, that’s fine with me.”
“No. Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine.” I shrug. “Nothing will ever come of it. I’m sure things will subside. I can do my job.”
Vee gives me a doe-eyed look and guilt eats at me. Here’s my sweet cousin, trying to fix another one of my problems the same way she and Merc have done since I became Saturn. The least I can do for the both of them is figure out my algorithm. I can’t quit being Saturn, so I might as well get decent at being aCupid’s Bowmatchmaker, even without The Sight.
Vee narrows her eyes.
“Vee, I’m serious. I appreciate you, but I can do this. You taught me all your coaching tips, remember?” There had been three eight-hour long seminars, she’d better remember. “Like you said, it’s a crush. Crushes are called crushes because they can be stamped out in a flash.”
“I don’t think that’s correct.”
“Trust me, it is.” I make a dramatic show of stomping on the ground. “All done.”
Vee laughs. “Listen to me, feelings don’t work like that.”
I know that deep down, and Moyo’s pristine smile is still in my head, but Vee doesn’t need to know that. I’ve never fallen in love, and I’ll never act on these feelings. She’s the key to figuring out my algorithm, so I have to see her. Becoming a better Saturn is a more important endeavor than a pointless crush.
“They do now. You forget that Saturn is also strong-willed and hardheaded. I’m fine to work with her. No need to interfere and definitely no need to tell Merc. The two of you do too much for me anyways.”
“No need to thank us, we’re family,” she says. “Are you sure you’re good? I can set her up with a match or help you come up with meeting points. Or I can take over the whole thing and you can get to know her like a normal person,” she offers again.
Part of me wants to take that offer, but I know better. No point wishing on a dead star. Why waste both my time and Moyo’s? I’m not selfish. This is my chance to figure things out and pull my weight atCupid’s Bow. I won’t let Vee and Merc’s hard work be for nothing because their Saturn was too busy trying—and most likely failing—to fall in love. There’s too much at stake. The company. My family.
“If only we were normal people,” I say. What might it have been like if I’d met Moyo before all this? But I never would’ve met Moyo if Dad hadn’t retired and I wasn’t forced to move to Boston. The futile dream fades to the background, letting me channel my energy into something productive. “Actually, Vee, tell me about those meeting points.”
Her jaw drops, but she turns the TV off and pulls open her phone to show me some documents.
This is good. Having a set plan for the next time I see Moyo will be good.
This way I’ll lead with logic and not ephemeral emotions.
12Moyo
